NYT: Disney to Build a Magic Kingdom Theme Park in the Middle East

[BrianL]

Why would you think Disney regret building in France? Have you been to Disneyland Paris? For UK, Ireland and European guests its a huge success. So many people have been to Disneyland Paris as its far more accessible than either Florida or California.

Yeah, it had a rough start in the EuroDisney days, but once they refocused I think it has turned out well. I think Spain maybe has better weather though - or so I've heard, but France/Paris is more well travelled. It seems like it's working out fine. Eventually, I am going to get over there!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Yeah, it had a rough start in the EuroDisney days, but once they refocused I think it has turned out well. I think Spain maybe has better weather though - or so I've heard, but France/Paris is more well travelled. It seems like it's working out fine. Eventually, I am going to get over there!

But even in the early days, the crowds still went there and it very quickly became a top European tourist destination. Thats my point. In the mid 90's , the financial loss by Disney was not something that the average UK, Irish or European guest cared about. All that mattered back then and now in 2025 is being able to go to a Disney park without the expense of going to America. All that mattered was being able to see Mickey Mouse, things they had only seen on TV.

And thats exactly the same reason that this new Middle East Disney will be a huge success. The local people and by that I mean people from the Middle East, Qatar, Brunei, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, will have their version of a Disney Park, which is customized for their culture, just like how Disneyland Paris is customized for European culture.

I'm just astounded, really, how people just cant understand that Disney, like every other global corporation, customize their products and services for a specific international market.

The Disney parks in America are customized for American culture.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No one is dense enough to believe that Disney will solve the issues. It's the presence of many progressive companies like Disney along with an army of open-minded people that will alleviate the problems.

Truth be told I don't think that has anything to do with their decision to go to the Middle East nor Sea World nor WB to that region. I know people want to think that way but it is not an entertainment company's ability to change a region's way, one steeped in so long of time. And Disney isn't thinking about it either, they are thinking about the eventual licensing fees they will get without having to do much work. It's not an altruistic decision but a business one, it doesn't have anything to do with trying to bring progressive attitudes, it's a business decision based on a hope that eventually they'll get the money and they don't even have to do much to get it. The brand itself from Western societies would/could be looked down upon by building there but to the rest it doesn't hold the same stigma/association of what the brand represents to us especially in the most recent years.

Whether people want to go to a destination that has xyz is their own choice. The company and that area is still very small in terms of visitors, they showed growth in 2024, perhaps that's why Disney thought about it, but it is not, as of yet a destination many are flocking to.

And in this region they also have enough wealth to simply let a place go if it's not showing the growth they want and essentially abandon it so it's low stakes to them. Another thing is the way wealth is pushed around in that region. For example in Ferrari World one of the companies that built one of the coasters went bankrupt due to the eventual costs associated with building it. That same company had designed parts for the Revenge of the Mummy rides in the several Universal parks.

Some people assume that because there are people within X distance that it means they are automatically going to go there, not for that region (among a few other regions in Asia). It was also said (not on this thread though) regarding income limits and the amount of people within X distance of high enough income, that is true but people still have to actually go there and for the billions of people that supposedly can reach it it is not showing anywhere near that type of attendance you'd want. Miral recorded 38 million visitors to Yas Island in 2024. That was a good growth over 2023 but not when you consider what others keep trying to point out about the number of people within reach to the destination.

 

[Minnie1222]

Truth be told I don't think that has anything to do with their decision to go to the Middle East nor Sea World nor WB to that region. I know people want to think that way but it is not an entertainment company's ability to change a region's way, one steeped in so long of time. And Disney isn't thinking about it either, they are thinking about the eventual licensing fees they will get without having to do much work. It's not an altruistic decision but a business one, it doesn't have anything to do with trying to bring progressive attitudes, it's a business decision based on a hope that eventually they'll get the money and they don't even have to do much to get it.

I agree it's strictly a business decision for Disney. However, I believe the presence of certain companies will attract more outsiders to the region and that eventually may loosen some restrictions. When my older female relatives visited Dubai in the late 70's and early 80's, they felt the pressure to cover their hair and be in the company of other male relatives. When I visited Dubai 15 years ago, female tourists were already wearing T-shirts, and no male companions were necessary. Fast forward to 2024, you'd think you're in Vegas from looking at other women's clothing.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I agree it's strictly a business decision for Disney. However, I believe the presence of certain companies will attract more outsiders to the region and that eventually may loosen some restrictions. When my older female relatives visited Dubai in the late 70's and early 80's, they felt the pressure to cover their hair and be in the company of other male relatives. When I visited Dubai 15 years ago, female tourists were already wearing T-shirts, and no male companions were necessary. Fast forward to 2024, you'd think you're in Vegas from looking at other women's clothing.

There are far bigger things about that region than attire.

But to speak on that t-shirts are fine, it's showing shoulders that is an issue and it's the extremely touristy spots that you are at least more inclined to see sleeveless tops but it is very frowned upon in older parts of the city (the historic spots) and of course religious areas (though that is not confined to the Middle East). You are still expected to cover your hair in the conservative areas (which also includes like normal religious places).

If I were to go with my husband any public display of affection is not allowed, I can hold my husband's hand (though that is still frowned upon) but I cannot hug him and most assuredly cannot kiss him (that is from UAE's governmental page). Maybe some get away with it but it's still not allowed. We might be using different definitions of progressive but I would take not being allowed to show my shoulders if it meant I could hug my husband.

Now of course there's a generalization and a specific to Dubai where the parks are at in terms of what you see but there's an overreaching cultural pull. There's always a line that people have in trying to be respectful of different cultures when they visit a place. I do think Dubai is a safe place for women in terms of physical safety but they run into other issues.

But my overall general point is this is not a place that is trying to be as progressive as you might think. They are primarily seeking people who are of their likeminded culture. That in a practical sense is perfectly fine but I wouldn't describe progressive nor would I say the presence of other companies there has much to do with it. It's not the first time Disney or other entertainment companies have a park in an area that has a world-wide iffy viewpoint about them, such as China. That in a business sense is perfectly fine, it doesn't mean they were attempting to create a more open-minded place by doing so.

Public image-wise Dubai and UAE in its entirety may be trying to court countries that come from less conservative (by their definition) places but that is still heavily concentrated on specific spots and not really about changing an entire culture to be more open by means of a theme park there. I think that distinction has to be said and is probably why there's some push back from other posters regarding it. The confines of the Burj Khalifa (strictly used as an example) might afford one a bit more leeway but that does not mean it changes the way the area as a whole is.

 

[Lewisc]

Scresmscape is saying the park will mainly be inside. It won't be just a clone of existing parks

 

[Karin1984]

Yeah, it had a rough start in the EuroDisney days, but once they refocused I think it has turned out well. I think Spain maybe has better weather though - or so I've heard, but France/Paris is more well travelled. It seems like it's working out fine. Eventually, I am going to get over there!

I wonder if the weather would have been better. France has more rain nowadays, but Spain in Summer often gets to unbearable temperatures. The heat in Southern Europe the last few years is no joke.

But they planned the park 40 years ago, who knew what we would do to climate change by 2025

Yes, you can do everything indoors and have aircon. But the culture of Southern Europe is very much an outdoor culture when it comes to sightseeing, outside dining, and themeparks. The differences between seasons in Europe have become bigger and that is tricky.

There is a British actress, Georgia Fawcett, who makes Disney content on Tiktok and she also performs often in Dubai to do panto. By the looks of it, she can play Ariel in a bikini in Dubai. But that is limited performances for probably an expat audience. She had a video with her thoughts on the Ab Dhabi park, but I cannot find it anymore, so I think she took it down. Which is a pity as it is good to have an inside look.

 

[Minnie1222]

Scresmscape is saying the park will mainly be inside. It won't be just a clone of existing parks

More reasons to make a trip over there.

 

[irlandaise]

Scresmscape is saying the park will mainly be inside. It won't be just a clone of existing parks

More reasons to make a trip over there.

Yes, they could do some really beautiful things with Middle Eastern-inspired designs. Hopefully in addition to rather than instead of Disney's legacy designs.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Yes, they could do some really beautiful things with Middle Eastern-inspired designs. Hopefully in addition to rather than instead of Disney's legacy designs.

Aladdin magic carpet dark ride, please!

 

[Karin1984]

Aladdin magic carpet dark ride, please!

I wonder if we will see any Aladdin characters in the Abu Dhabi park. As the movie is not a very good representation of Middle Eastern culture.

 

[Minnie1222]

Soarin' through Agrabah on a giant Magic Carpet.